The St Vincent De Paul charity in Cork has run out of money for the first time in 40 years.
As Christmas shoppers hit Ireland's high streets for the biggest shopping period of the year, SVP staff in the Rebel County are at a loss as to how they are going to help the 3,500 families that have put in a request for a food hamper to get them through the festive season.
According to
The Irish Examiner, the organisation's cash reserve of €4m has been decimated over the past seven years of the recession as the charity battled to cope with the “unprecedented rise in calls for help”.
Despite the perceived upturn in the Capital, it's clear the economic situation has not improved in the south of the country, with three times more desperate families applying for help.
Regional vice president for the south west Brendan Dempsey said the situation is so dire that the charity has not put out their traditional call for donations of toys.
Instead, volunteers are focused solely on raising the funds and donations it takes to make up hampers of basic groceries.
“Upturn? What upturn? It’s worse than it’s ever been,” he said. “We have never been so dependant on donations and church collection. Up until April this year we always had money in the bank but now that’s gone and the requests for help keep growing and growing. We are now living week to week.
“I’d like Enda Kenny to meet us in Cork and see some of the desperation that we see every night of the week.”
“Many of the couples that we are helping are well-educated people who worked hard all their lives, created jobs and were well able to look after themselves,” said Mr Dempsey.
“They are a section that we were able to turn to for help but now we are helping them.”
If you can volunteer, fundraise or make a donation to Cork St Vincent De Paul, visit the website to find out how you can help. 
